1152 replies to this topic

[max.bravo]

Horgan and his party aren't the NDP as most British Columbians would remember the actual NDP under Mike Harcourt or his predecessors.

 

The real NDP would never have called a borderline illegal election during a pandemic, and the real NDP would have long ago done whatever was required to solve the family doctor crisis in B.C.

 

Horgan now leads a party that somehow exists only to pander to social justice crazies, and get itself reelected.

It serves no other purpose in B.C. right now, and represents nothing that the historical NDP might have stood up for.

 

Regardless, Horgan has to go before he drives the Province into the ground financially, and barely leaves British Columbians with third world health care.

"Liveability" has probably never been worse in this province. It's hard to imagine how young people today will want to put down roots here without any of the things that made Canada great: housing, health care, and the rule of law. Those are disappearing fast, and boomer politicians like Horgan either don't care or don't understand. Surely a new reconciliation museum is not going to help fix any of those basics which are slipping away fast.

[Mike K.]

The pandemic robbed the current power brokers of glitz and glamour that goes along with statesmanship. We can expect a wide gamut if grandiose legacy projects from here on out. Nobody is going to remember the guy who instituted restrictions and rolled out vaccines, but they’ll remember the guy who ordered the development of a museum or a big ticket infrastructure project, like the tunnel under the Fraser (forget a bridge, let’s rebuild that tunnel).

Island highways will remain under-developed save for where the NDP built a near freeway for rural communities north of Nanaimo, but stopped short of building interchanges on McKenzie and Tillicum.

We need a four lane Malahat, a four lane Sooke Road and major improvements to Highway 14 west of Jordan River. But it’s not exactly hot stuff, so don’t expect it.

[dasmo]

Yep, with all that money printed during a pandemic, with a known problem of overcapacity hospitals before it, and still not much improvement on that infrastructure front...But a billion dollar museum is a go! This was 2018-2019.... 

"B.C.’s hospital system operated over capacity again in 2018-19."

https://www.vicnews....-northern-b-c/ 

Edited by dasmo, 16 May 2022 - 10:33 AM.

[jeffifahB]

Horgan and his party aren't the NDP as most British Columbians would remember the actual NDP under Mike Harcourt or his predecessors.

 

The real NDP would never have called a borderline illegal election during a pandemic, and the real NDP would have long ago done whatever was required to solve the family doctor crisis in B.C.

 

Horgan now leads a party that somehow exists only to pander to social justice crazies, and get itself reelected.

It serves no other purpose in B.C. right now, and represents nothing that the historical NDP might have stood up for.

 

Regardless, Horgan has to go before he drives the Province into the ground financially, and barely leaves British Columbians with third world health care.

Meet the new boss; same as the old boss.  There is no "real" party of any ilk. They all change with power. 

[spanky123]

We can expect a wide gamut if grandiose legacy projects from here on out. Nobody is going to remember the guy who instituted restrictions and rolled out vaccines, but they’ll remember the guy who ordered the development of a museum or a big ticket infrastructure project, like the tunnel under the Fraser (forget a bridge, let’s rebuild that tunnel).

 

$1B buys a lot of friends. With the country heading into a recession, historically the fate of incumbent politicians hasn't been that great. Having lots of friends can ease transition as friends need consultants and advisors.

[lanforod]

We need a four lane Malahat, a four lane Sooke Road and major improvements to Highway 14 west of Jordan River. But it’s not exactly hot stuff, so don’t expect it.

 

Why do we need Hwy 14 improvements west of Jordan River? For the 300 odd people who live past that and the tourists that go to Sombrero and Botanical in the summer? I'm not convinced.  It needs to be maintained, but major improvements does not make sense to me.

 

In a lot of recent posts, I've seen a lot of pushing for west of Sooke development. There are better places to develop, with less infrastructure and distance issues (and yes, more political issues).

[Mike K.]

Why do we need Hwy 14 improvements west of Jordan River? For the 300 odd people who live past that and the tourists that go to Sombrero and Botanical in the summer? I'm not convinced.  It needs to be maintained, but major improvements does not make sense to me.

 

In a lot of recent posts, I've seen a lot of pushing for west of Sooke development. There are better places to develop, with less infrastructure and distance issues (and yes, more political issues).

 

Once you get past Jordon River the roadbed is collapsing, and has huge bumps (not potholes, but collapsing roadbed) that is very dangerous to drive and can ground out your suspension if you're driving at or even below the speed limit. There have also been a string of failed portions that went crashing down the mountainside, luckily with no vehicles along for the ride. Highways just finished upgrading a portion of the descent into Port Renfrew after the roadbed collapsed and only one lane was left.

 

I spoke to highways about this some time ago and they're very well aware, but there's no $.

 

Now, with the upcoming cellphone services, that highway is going to get much busier (it's already very busy in the summer months with thousands of vehicles per day checking out the beaches, PR, driving the circle route to Cowichan, camping, etc).

[Mike K.]

Here's an example: https://www.google.c...!4d-124.2437417

 

Now mind you, that's from 2011, but you can see how the roadbed looks like it's melting on the left lane. Many sections of the highway are much worse than that, and it can be very unsettling when you dip a foot and lean to the side as you're going down the road at highway speed.

[Mike K.]

Meet the new boss; same as the old boss.  There is no "real" party of any ilk. They all change with power. 

 

Welcome to VV!

[lanforod]

I went to Botanical in September. It was fine. Some areas need work, its not massive. Some areas have been done.

[Matt R.]

Once you get past Jordon River the roadbed is collapsing, and has huge bumps (not potholes, but collapsing roadbed) that is very dangerous to drive and can ground out your suspension if you're driving at or even below the speed limit. There have also been a string of failed portions that went crashing down the mountainside, luckily with no vehicles along for the ride. Highways just finished upgrading a portion of the descent into Port Renfrew after the roadbed collapsed and only one lane was left.
 
I spoke to highways about this some time ago and they're very well aware, but there's no $.
 
Now, with the upcoming cellphone services, that highway is going to get much busier (it's already very busy in the summer months with thousands of vehicles per day checking out the beaches, PR, driving the circle route to Cowichan, camping, etc).

Here on salt spring, instead of fixing the road MOTI simply places red diamonds on the roadside to warn of disappearing roadbed, lol.

Only last week did they pave the washout from November on the main road. Population is around 30,000 in the warm months, taxes are through the roof but we can’t get road repair done.

[Mike K.]

I went to Botanical in September. It was fine. Some areas need work, its not massive. Some areas have been done.

 

I can appreciate if you're out there once every few years it's not a big deal.

 

I think they would have completed the collapsed portion by then, if you were there in September. When it was down to one lane because the other lane collapsed down the hill you'd have had a very different opinion of that highway.

 

Here on salt spring, instead of fixing the road MOTI simply places red diamonds on the roadside to warn of disappearing roadbed, lol.

Only last week did they pave the washout from November on the main road. Population is around 30,000 in the warm months, taxes are through the roof but we can’t get road repair done.

 

Yeah, they put those diamonds up for Highway 14 too. It's super sketchy in bad weather as you rolly polly down a 'highway.'

[Matt R.]

I can appreciate if you're out there once every few years it's not a big deal.
 
I think they would have completed the collapsed portion by then, if you were there in September. When it was down to one lane because the other lane collapsed down the hill you'd have had a very different opinion of that highway.
 

 
Yeah, they put those diamonds up for Highway 14 too. It's super sketchy in bad weather as you rolly polly down a 'highway.'

I looked at your Google maps image, sure looks familiar! Lots of the roads on the water are caving in. I’ll try to get a photo of the bridge in Fulford tomorrow, it’s crazy. But hey, new museum!

[Mike K.]

Yeah, we should see that. Maybe that’s what the government needs to see, too. Infrastructure crumbling but ok, build a museum.

I’ll take photos of the highway 14 roller coaster next time I’m out that way.

[Matt R.]

Yeah, we should see that. Maybe that’s what the government needs to see, too. Infrastructure crumbling but ok, build a museum.

I’ll take photos of the highway 14 roller coaster next time I’m out that way.

Going north, the bridge surface is so poor most people cross fully over into the oncoming lane. It’s a riot.

A huge green camperized cube truck whacked the railing at some point last week too. The pillar is hanging by a thread, the vehicle front end is smashed in and the whole thing is off to the side wrapped in caution tape.

There is a real theme here with damaged or abandoned RV’s. More than a couple have ended up being torched…

[Victoria Watcher]

BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon pledges to scrap new Royal BC Museum project

https://www.cheknews...roject-1032097/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 May 2022 - 03:03 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Les Leyne: B.C. government has misread public mood with museum plan

Horgan government wants to demolish Royal B.C. Museum, spend $789 million on a replacement. Reaction has been remarkably negative.

https://www.timescol...um-plan-5376086


Just So You Know: There is speculation that career plans are being laid and the project is considered Horgan’s legacy project. Given Falcon’s promise to kill it the first chance he gets, the inside joke is that the NDP wants to “Site C it,” meaning get it to the point of no return before anything happens to their hold on power.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 May 2022 - 03:13 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

These readers don't like the $789 million museum plan; send us a letter if you think it's a good idea

B.C. government wants to tear down the Royal B.C. Museum and spend $789 million to replace it; projected opening is in 2030. No details have been provided about the budget or the timeline.

https://www.timescol...od-idea-5376066

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 May 2022 - 03:19 AM.

[lanforod]

2.5 years away from an election, the NDP does have time to 'site C' it; likely demolition of current museum would be all that is needed to get to that point .

[Victoria Watcher]

What do DVBA, TV and the Chamber say about it?  Or the hotel association?

 

What does our Mayor and council say?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 May 2022 - 07:37 AM.